وَكَذَٰلِكَ نَجْزِى مَنْ أَسْرَفَ وَلَمْ يُؤْمِنۢ بِـَٔايَـٰتِ رَبِّهِۦ ۚ وَلَعَذَابُ ٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ أَشَدُّ وَأَبْقَىٰٓ 127
Translations
And thus do We recompense he who transgressed and did not believe in the signs of his Lord. And the punishment of the Hereafter is more severe and more enduring.
Transliteration
Wa kadhalika najzi man asrafa wa lam yu'min bi ayati rabbihi wa la'adhaabu al-akhirati ashaddu wa abqa
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah establishes that those who commit excess (israf) and reject the signs of their Lord face punishment in this world, with the punishment of the Hereafter being even more severe and everlasting. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari interpret 'israf' (excess) as transgression in disbelief and sins, explaining that Allah's pattern of justice is to punish the arrogant rejecters. The emphasis on the Hereafter's punishment being 'ashaddu wa abqa' (more severe and more lasting) underscores the eternal nature of divine justice and serves as a strong deterrent against rejection of faith.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the context of Surah Ta-Ha's discussion of the stories of the prophets and warnings against disbelief. It follows the narrative of Pharaoh's arrogance and rejection of Moses's message, serving as a general principle that applies to all who transgress and deny Allah's signs throughout history.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'The most beloved deeds to Allah are those done regularly, even if they are small' (Sahih Bukhari 6464), emphasizing the importance of belief and obedience. Additionally, 'Whoever turns away from my Sunnah is not from me' (Sahih Bukhari 5063) relates to the theme of rejecting divine guidance.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds believers that arrogance and rejection of divine guidance have inevitable consequences both in this world and eternally in the Hereafter, encouraging humility, acceptance of faith, and adherence to divine commandments as the path to safety and success.